Thomas D. Babb served as Acting Master
aboard the Union ship Owasco during the Battle of
Galveston Bay. He describes the attack, counterattack, and surrender of the
Union ship Harriet Lane and the burning of another
Union vessel, the Westfield, as well as other
details of the engagement. Ultimately the Confederate ships prevailed, breaking
the Union blockade of Galveston Bay and leaving the Port of Galveston in
Confederate hands for the remainder of the Civil War.